Gutter cleanout system and method

ABSTRACT

A gutter clean out system is disclosed that may include a gutter clean out plate pivotally attached to a hinge. In addition, the gutter clean out system may include the hinge configured to be attached an outside surface of a bottom of a gutter, where the gutter includes an opening positioned in a portion of the bottom. The gutter clean out system may include a plurality of fasteners positioned proximate a front edge of the gutter clean out plate and configured to releasably couple to a plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in a closed position and to releasably uncouple from the plurality of nuts in an open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a rain gutter system in general and to a gutter clean out system more specifically.

Description of the Related Art

Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, are cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. The references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, a gutter clean out system may include a gutter clean out plate pivotally attached to a hinge. The gutter clean out system may also include the hinge configured to be attached an outside surface of a bottom of a gutter, where the gutter includes an opening positioned in a portion of the bottom. The gutter clean out system may furthermore include a plurality of fasteners positioned proximate a front edge of the gutter clean out plate and configured to releasably couple to a plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in a closed position and to releasably uncouple from the plurality of nuts in an open position.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The gutter clean out system where the gutter clean out plate is configured to pivot away from the bottom of the gutter in the open position thereby exposing the opening. The gutter clean out system may include a gasket positioned around a periphery of an inside surface of the gutter clean out plate and configured to seal the opening in the closed position. The gutter clean out system where the gasket may include a material configured to adhere to the gutter clean out plate and provide a watertight seal when the gutter clean out plate is in a closed position. The gutter clean out system where the gutter has a linear length and the hinge is positioned along the linear length of the gutter. The gutter clean out system where the gutter is configured to collect rainwater in the closed position and is configured to remove debris in the open position. The gutter clean out system may include a wrench configured to releasably couple the plurality of fasteners to the plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in the closed position and to releasably uncouple the plurality of fasteners from the plurality of nuts in the open position. The gutter clean out system may include a quick catch bracket, where the quick catch bracket may include: a spring clip attached to a bottom front side of the gutter clean out plate, the spring clip including an upright leg connected to a roll-over clip and a lip extending there from; a catch positioned in a front portion of the gutter; and where the roll-over clip is configured to releasably engage the spring clip in the closed position and where the roll-over clip is configured to be disengaged from the catch in the open position. The gutter clean out system where the lip is configured to facilitate an user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the open position to the closed position and is further configured to facilitate an user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the closed position to the open position. The gutter clean out system where the gutter clean out system further may include a facia portion, a front portion, and a down spout coupled to the bottom of the gutter. The gutter clean out system where the fasteners may include thumb screws. The gutter clean out system where the plurality of nut plates are nuts fixed to the gutter. The gutter clean out system where the hinge is fixedly attached to the bottom of the gutter and the gutter clean out plate using fasteners. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or a computer tangible medium.

In one general aspect, a gutter clean out system may include a gutter clean out plate having an outside dimension, fastener holes along a front edge and a periphery with a gasket positioned on an inside surface. The gutter clean out system may also include a hinge fixedly attached to an outside surface of a back edge of the gutter clean out plate and mounted to an outside surface of a bottom of the gutter. The gutter clean out system may furthermore include a plurality of fasteners configured to threadedly engage a plurality of respective nut plates fixedly installed in the bottom of the gutter, the fasteners having a shoulder to bias against the gutter and a blade end to provide rotational force during installation and removal, and having a circlip to prevent axial movement and retain the fastener in the gutter clean out plate. The gutter clean out system may in addition include a bottom of the gutter including an opening having a length and a width configured to be slightly smaller than the outside dimension of the gutter clean out plate and a plurality of gutter clean out systems disposed in the bottom of the gutter with a separation distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view in partial section of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 2 is sectional side view of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 3 is sectional side view of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 4 is front view in partial section of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 5 is back view in partial section of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 6 is bottom view in partial section of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view in partial section of a lanai structure and gutter of the prior art;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view in partial section of a lanai structure and gutter of the prior art;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a removal and installation tool in partial section in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 10 is sectional side view of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 11 is sectional side view of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is front view in partial section of a gutter clean out system in accordance with the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the examples described herein may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown gutter clean out system 1 as part of gutter system 2. Gutter system 2 can comprise any known type of rain gutter and as shown in the figure the gutter system includes facia portion 3, bottom 4, front portion 5 and down spout 6 coupled to the bottom of the gutter. Although not shown, gutter system 2 can further comprise end caps, corners (both inside mitered corner and outside mitered corners), hanger brackets and other known gutter accessories and features. Still referring to FIG. 1 and with further reference to FIGS. 2-6 the features and attributes of gutter clean out system 1 will be disclosed in further detail. The gutter clean out system 1 is comprised of gutter clean out plate 10, hinge 11, gasket 12, fasteners 13 and nut plates 14. Fasteners 13 can comprise any known suitable fastener and are shown as thumb screws having a threaded and, a shoulder to bias against the gutter and a blade end to provide rotational force during the installation and removal of the fasteners as will be disclosed in more detail herein after. Fasteners 13 can include a circlip, also known as a C-clip, Rotor Clip, snap ring or Jesus clip, as a retaining ring comprising of a semi-flexible ring with open ends which can be snapped into place over the fastener, into a machined groove on the fastener to permit rotation but to prevent axial movement and retaining the fastener in the gutter clean out plate 10. The nut plates are nuts fixed to the gutter to releasably couple the fasteners therein. As part of gutter clean out system 1, bottom 4 of the gutter includes opening 15 that has a length 16 and a width 17 that is configured to be slightly smaller than the outside dimensions gutter clean out plate 10 in all dimensions and wherein the length traverses the linear length of the gutter. Depending on the total length of the gutter embodiments of the present disclosure include a plurality of gutter clean out system 2 disposed in bottom 4 with a separation distance 18 that, depending on the geometry and material of the gutter can be on the order of 3 inches. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the separation distance maintains the structural integrity of the gutter while maximizing the efficacy of gutter clean out system 2. Gutter clean out plate 10 can be comprised of any suitable material such as a metal or plastic and includes fastener holes along a front edge configured to receive a plurality of fasteners 13 and gasket 14 positioned on the gutter clean out plate proximate its periphery on an inside surface. The gutter clean out plate 10 is pivotally mounted to bottom 4 of the gutter by hinge 11 wherein one leg of the hinge is fixedly attached to an outside surface of the back edge of the gutter clean out plate and wherein the second leg of the hinge is mounted to an outside surface of bottom 4 of the gutter. Gasket 12 can comprise any suitable material that is configured to adhere to gutter clean out plate 10 and to provide a watertight seal when gutter clean out plate 10 is in a closed position as will described in more detail herein after. Nut plates 14 are fixedly installed in bottom 4 of the gutter and are positioned to threadedly engage a respective fastener 13 while gutter clean out plate 10 is in a closed position. Although shown as threaded fasteners and nut plates, fasteners 13 and nut plates 14 can comprise any suitable type faster such as a quarter turn fastener. Hinge 11 can be fixedly attached to bottom 4 of gutter and gutter clean out plate 10 using any suitable technique such as by fasteners, gluing welding or other known techniques.

The gutter clean out system 1 is shown in the closed position in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 and is shown in the open position in FIGS. 1 and 3 . In operation, gutter system 2 along with gutter clean out system 1 is installed with facia side 3 positioned on a facia of a building to collect rainwater similar to a normal gutter system. As is known in the art, in addition to collecting rainwater, gutters also collect debris, such as leaves 30 and other debris, that can collect in down spout 6 leading to deleterious effects for the gutter system 2. As debris collects on gutter clean out plate 10 and is saturated by rainwater it can become quite heavy. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the arrangement of hinge 11 and fasteners 13 distribute the weight of the debris 30 evenly long the linear length of the gutter clean out plate. It should be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that gutter clean out plate 10 articulates about hinge 11 and requires only a few inches of clearance to go between the fully open position and the fully closed position. This feature makes gutter clean out system 1 particularly useful for its intended purpose in that gutter clean out plate 10 can be positioned close to corners, downspouts 6, trees, the ground, other roof lines and the like without interference when articulating into the open position. With reference to FIGS. 7, 8 , one such application where gutter clean out system 1 is particularly useful is on a gutter system 70 of a lanai 71 attached to a house 72. Lanai 71 is generally comprised of a plurality of screen panels 73 that terminate at gutter system 70 and define a screen enclosure outside of the walls of house 72. As such, the gutter of gutter system 70 lies in a valley between roof 80 and screen panels 73 with the bottom of the gutter within the screen enclosure. As best seen in FIG. 8 , the valley created by screens 73 and roof 80 debris 81 readily collect in gutter 70 and the gutter can only be cleaned from end 82 from a ladder without entering upon roof 80. A lanai 71 having a gutter system 70 that includes gutter clean out system 1 provides a safe and effective way to remove debris 81 without having to enter upon the surface of roof 80. Also shown in FIG. 7 is inside mitered corner 74 joining gutter system 70 with upper gutter section 75. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a plurality of gutter clean out plate 10 of gutter clean out system 1 can be installed along the linear length of gutter system 70 from end 82 to mitered corner 74. Because gutter clean out plate 10 articulates along hinge 11 it will not interfere with downspout 76 or with mitered corner 74. It should be further appreciated that upper gutter section 75 can be inventively fitted with gutter clean out system 1 yielding similar benefits disclosed herein above.

With reference to the various figures, the operation of gutter clean out system 1 will be further disclosed. A plurality of gutter clean out system 1 can be positioned in the bottom 4 of a gutter of the prior art. Opening 15 is cut within bottom 4 of gutter 2 in appropriate lengths that can range between 4 feet and 6 feet depending on the overall gutter length, gutter material, material thickness and other factors. The width of opening 15 can generally be on the order of 3 inches depending on the overall width of bottom 4. A sub-assembly of gutter clean out system 1 can comprise hinge 11, gutter clean out plate 10 gasket 12 and a plurality of fasteners 13. Hinge 11 of the subassembly can be installed to an outside surface of bottom 4 with the length of the hinge running parallel with the linear length of the opening 15. A plurality of nut plates 14 are installed on bottom 4 near the front side of gutter 2 and each of the plurality of nut plates is positioned to cooperate with one of the plurality of fasteners 13. In normal operation gutter clean out plate 10 is positioned in the closed position (FIGS. 3-6 ) with fasteners 13 tightened within nut plates 14 sandwiching gasket 12 between the gutter clean out plate and the outside surface of bottom 4 of gutter 2. In the closed positioned gutter 2 collects rainwater in the normal fashion and carries it to downspout 6 and away from the house. When debris 30 are present within gutter 2, a user releases gutter clean out plate 10 by uncoupling fasteners 13 from nut plates 14 and articulating the gutter clean out plate about hinge 11 into the open position (FIGS. 1, 3 ). Some of debris 30 fall from opening 15 of gutter 2 while assisted by gravity and can be further removed by the user. The user can further clean debris 30 from sections between successive gutter clean out system 1 by accessing such sections through openings 15. Once debris 30 have been removed gutter clean out plate 10 is positioned in the closed position (FIGS. 3-6 ) with fasteners 13 tightened within nut plates 14 sandwiching gasket 12 between the gutter clean out plate and the outside surface of bottom 4 of gutter 2 and the gutter can proceed to operate in the normal fashion.

Now referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a partial section of front section 5 of gutter 1 and a single fastener 13 including wrench 90. Wrench 90 facilitates the installation and removal of fastener 13 from gutter clean out system 2 as will be disclosed in detail hereinafter. Wrench 90 includes socket 91 positioned on a distal end of upper rod 92 and lower rod 93 slidably adjustably disposed within the upper rod. Socket 91 includes recess 93 and slot 94 which are configured to cooperate with the shoulder and blade of thumbscrew fastener 13. In operation a user adjusts the length of wrench 90 by sliding lower rod 93 in or out of upper rod 92 in the direction of arrow 95 and the locks it into position using thumbscrew 96. Once the proper length is selected the user manipulates socket 91 over the features of fastener 13 which slidably engage with recess 92 and slot 94. To loosen and remove fastener 13 from nut plate 14 (FIG. 3 ) the user turns lower rod 93 in a counterclockwise direction and can further use handle 97 to provide additional stability and torque to wrench 90. The user then repeats the process for all of the fasteners of a particular gutter clean out system 2 to position, with the assistance of gravity, gutter clean out plate 10 into an open position as disclosed herein above. Once the cleanout procedure disclosed herein above has been completed the user can employ wrench 90 to releasably secure gutter clean out plate 10 in the closed position. To do so, the user grasps handle 97 and lower rod 93 and positions socket 91 over one of the plurality of fasteners 13 of gutter clean out system 2 and urges gutter clean out plate to rotate about hinge 11 into the closed positioned described above with the one fastener in alignment with a respective nut plate 14. To tighten fastener 13 into nut plate 14 (FIG. 2 ) the user turns lower rod 93 in a clockwise direction and can further use handle 97 to provide additional stability and torque to wrench 90. The user then repeats the process for all of the fasteners of a particular gutter clean out system 2 to position gutter clean out plate 10 into a closed position as disclosed herein above with gasket 12 sandwiched between the outside surface of bottom 4 and gutter clean out plate 10 to provide a watertight seal. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various components of wrench 90 can be comprised of any suitable material and that light weight and stiffness are desirable.

Referring next to FIGS. 10-12 there is shown an alternative embodiment of gutter clean out system 1 that further comprises quick catch bracket 100. Quick catch bracket 100 comprises spring clip 101 and catch 102. Catch 102 is permanently installed preferably within a flat section of front portion 5 of the gutter and can comprise a roundhead fastener, a buttonhead fastener, a rivet or the like. Spring clip 101 is permanently attached to a bottom front side of gutter clean out plate 10 and includes an upright leg 103, a roll-over clip 104 and a lip 105. Spring clip 101 can be comprised of any suitable material such as spring steel, thermoplastic, stainless so long as it has the resiliency to perform the function described immediately herein below.

In operation, quick catch bracket 100 allows a user to quickly and controllably transition gutter clean out system 1 from a closed position (FIGS. 10, 12 ) to an open position (FIG. 11 ). In so doing the user removes fasteners 13 as disclosed herein above and spring clip 101 in cooperation with catch 102 keeps gutter clean out plate 10 in the closed position. After all fasteners 13 have been removed the user engages lip 105, with any suitable tool or by hand, and forces spring clip 101 in the downward direction urging roll-over clip 104 to disengage with catch 102 and thereby releasing quick catch bracket 100 from front portion 5 of the gutter and allowing gutter clean out plate 10 to rotate about hinge 11 in the open position. The cleanout procedure disclosed herein above can then proceed as described.

Similarly, and advantageously, catch bracket 100 allows a user to quickly and controllably transition gutter clean out system 1 from the open position (FIG. 11 ), after cleanout, to a closed position (FIGS. 10, 12 ). In so doing the user the user engages lip 105, with any suitable tool or by hand, and forces spring clip 101 in the upward direction while rotating gutter clean out plate 10 about hinge 11 urging roll-over clip 104 to engage with catch 102 and thereby coupling quick catch bracket 100 to front portion 5 of the gutter and releasably positioning gutter clean out system 1 in the closed position. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that with gutter clean out system 1 releasably positioned in the closed position the process of installing fasteners 13 disclosed herein above can proceed in a more controlled fashion to secure gutter clean out plate 10 to nut plates 14.

All of the methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the apparatus and methods of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, modifications may be made to the disclosed apparatus and components may be eliminated or substituted for the components described herein where the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the disclosure.

Although the methods and apparatus is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as presently set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated other The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gutter clean out system comprising: a gutter clean out plate pivotally attached to a hinge; the hinge configured to be attached an outside surface of a bottom of a gutter, wherein the gutter includes an opening positioned in a portion of the bottom; and a plurality of fasteners positioned proximate a front edge of the gutter clean out plate and configured to releasably couple to a plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in a closed position and to releasably uncouple from the plurality of nuts in an open position.
 2. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 wherein the gutter clean out plate is configured to pivot away from the bottom of the gutter in the open position thereby exposing the opening.
 3. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 further comprising a gasket positioned around a periphery of an inside surface of the gutter clean out plate and configured to seal the opening in the closed position.
 4. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 wherein the gutter has a linear length and the hinge is positioned along the linear length of the gutter.
 5. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 wherein the gutter is configured to collect rainwater in the closed position and is configured to remove debris in the open position.
 6. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 further comprising a wrench configured to releasably couple the plurality of fasteners to the plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in the closed position and to releasably uncouple the plurality of fasteners from the plurality of nuts in the open position.
 7. The gutter clean out system of claim 1 further comprising a quick catch bracket, wherein the quick catch bracket comprises: a spring clip attached to a bottom front side of the gutter clean out plate, the spring clip including an upright leg connected to a roll-over clip and a lip extending there from; a catch positioned in a front portion of the gutter; and wherein the roll-over clip is configured to releasably engage the spring clip in the closed position and wherein the roll-over clip is configured to be disengaged from the catch in the open position.
 8. The gutter clean out system of claim 7 wherein the lip is configured to facilitate a user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the open position to the closed position and is further configured to facilitate a user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the closed position to the open position.
 9. A gutter clean out system for use in a gutter system comprising: a gutter clean out plate having an outside dimension, fastener holes along a front edge and a periphery with a gasket positioned on an inside surface; a hinge fixedly attached to an outside surface of a back edge of the gutter clean out plate and mounted to an outside surface of a bottom of the gutter; a plurality of fasteners configured to threadedly engage a plurality of respective nut plates fixedly installed in the bottom of the gutter, the fasteners having a shoulder to bias against the gutter and a blade end to provide rotational force during installation and removal, and comprising a circlip to prevent axial movement and retain the fastener in the gutter clean out plate; and a bottom of the gutter including an opening having a length and a width configured to be slightly smaller than the outside dimension of the gutter clean out plate and a plurality of gutter clean out systems disposed in the bottom of the gutter with a separation distance.
 10. The gutter clean out system of claim 9, wherein the gutter clean out system further comprises a facia portion, a front portion, and a down spout coupled to the bottom of the gutter.
 11. The gutter clean out system of claim 9, wherein the fasteners comprise thumb screws.
 12. The gutter clean out system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of respective nut plates are nuts fixed to the bottom of the gutter.
 13. The gutter clean out system of claim 9, wherein the hinge is fixedly attached to the bottom of the gutter and the gutter clean out plate using fasteners.
 14. The gutter clean out system of claim 9, wherein the gasket comprises a material configured to adhere to the gutter clean out plate and provide a watertight seal when the gutter clean out plate is in a closed position. 